—The uprising in the island of Porto Rico has proved to be of no consequence, and was quickly subdued.
—By an explosion of dynamite in a Johannesburg (Africa) mine, eight English and twenty-six native miners were killed.
—The cannibal natives of the New Hebrides recently killed and ate a British trader by the name of George S. Duncan.
—On April 9 a car-load of fireworks was accidentally exploded in the streets of Buenos Ayres, which resulted in the death of ten persons.
—An extensive conspiracy and plot to assassinate President Alfaro, of Ecuador, was recently brought to light, and the ringleaders captured and imprisoned.
—President Faure, of France, will visit Russia in June, accompanied by M. Hanotaux, minister of foreign affairs. The trip will be made in an armored cruiser.
—A report from Paris states that the pope intends to intervene between the powers and Greece, with a view to effecting a peaceful solution of the Cretan problem.
—Early in the month of March the town of Giram, on the island of Formosa, was severely shaken by an earthquake, in which fifty-six persons lost their lives, and fully one hundred were severely injured.
—The teetotalers of England propose to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria by securing one million signers of the pledge. On a given day every home in England will receive a visit from their canvassers.
—A report from Montevideo states that another serious engagement has taken place between the insurgent and federal troops, in which the latter were defeated. The insurgents have captured the town of Sarandi.
—Reports from Montenegro state that several conflicts have occurred between Albanian Mussulmans and Montenegrin Christians, and Montenegro has warned Turkey that if the Albanians continue their attacks, she will send troops to aid the Christians.
—It is reported that a new triple alliance is in process of formation between the three empires of Europe, Germany, Austria, and Russia. Emperor William will visit Emperor Francis Joseph on April 22, and the latter will start three days later on a visit to the czar of Russia.
—The Chinese Government has decided to order four more armored cruisers, two fast cruisers, and several torpedo destroyers of the English type. Preparations are also being made to fortify Kiaochao, on the southern coast of Shantung, and establish there a dry dock and naval station.
—An ancient papyrus was recently unearthed in Egypt which gives an account of a horse trade between the writer of the record, and a Hebrew named Daniel. The Egyptian plainly states that he was cheated by the Hebrew in the transaction. Of course this was not the Daniel of scripture, who was a resident of Babylon.
—According to reports received at Shanghai, the natives in the vicinity of Ichang, China, are dying by the hundreds of starvation. Their maize crop, which they exchanged for rice, was almost a complete failure, and their supplies are now completely exhausted. No estimate of the loss of life is given, but it is reported to be very heavy.
—A report comes from the Philippines that 200 of the Manila rebels who had been captured were confined in a small room, and the guards kept up a continual fire through the walls of the inclosure until two-thirds of the rebels were killed. It is believed that the Spaniards took this way to rid themselves of the expense of caring for their prisoners.
—It is reported that Ilg, the Swiss engineer who was instrumental in restoring peace between Abyssinia and Italy, has been presented by King Menelek with a concession of land for the construction of a railway into Abyssinia from the Red Sea. The line will be several hundred miles long, will be financed by French capitalists, and construction upon it will be commenced at once.
—A late report from Cuba states that a battle has been fought between the Cubans, under Brigadier Aleman, and a strong Spanish company, in which the latter were driven from the field, leaving 200 dead. With the supplies contained in the expedition which was conducted by General Roloff, the Cubans have fortified the port of Banes, and it is expected that this port will soon be attacked by Spanish gunboats. The Spanish gunboats Satellite and Sandoval were both attacked by the insurgents, and sustained considerable injuries and some loss of life before they were able to beat off the attacking parties. A detachment of Matanzas guerrillas has captured the auditor of the insurgent war department. An insurgent force, under Peroco Delgado, was surprised by the Spaniards near Encrucijada, and left eleven dead upon the field, together with a quantity of arms and ammunition. The general situation is14unchanged.
—The English Church authorities have published a reply to the bull which the pope recently issued in regard to Anglican orders. The reply is a long step toward Rome. The position of the Anglican archbishop is defended entirely from a Roman Catholic standpoint. The claim of the validity of the Anglican orders is based upon the fact that they are as much sacramentarian and sacerdotal as are those of Rome.
—The march of Merchand's French company up the Mobangi River in Africa, is accompanied by great slaughtering of the natives, who are opposing his advance. Every village along the Manyanga road was burned, several hundred of the natives killed, and all their available food taken. The object of this expedition is to follow the Mobangi River to its source, then cross over to the head waters of the Nile, and attack the Arabs and Dervishes, also to look after French interests in that section, and checkmate the English in attempts to occupy the territory.
—Affairs along the Græco-Turkish frontier are progressing slowly, but it seems surely, toward an outbreak of hostilities. Three companies of Greek irregulars, variously estimated at from 1,000 to 3,000, have crossed the frontier, and engaged the Turkish outposts. Reports from the vicinity of the disturbance are contradictory, but it seems certain that the Greeks have captured Baltino, in Macedonia, having in this engagement inflicted upon the Turks a loss of forty killed. The Turks in turn attacked the Greek position, but were repulsed with considerable loss. Detachments of the Greek irregulars are said to be driving the Turks before them, and are pushing on for Grevena, threatening to cut off communication between the two divisions of the sultan's forces at Elassona and Janina. The sultan has threatened that if these incursions of irregulars continue, he will declare war and advance upon Greece, and as the latter is taking no pains to stop the invasions, a declaration of war is expected before many days.
DOMESTIC.
—The entire membership of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor now amounts to 3,800,000.
—Virginia has passed a law making it a misdemeanor to sell intoxicants to students of any educational institution in that State.
—Three persons were killed and a number seriously injured by a collision on the Southern Railway at Harrisburg, North Carolina, on April 11.
—On April 9 three prospectors were murdered in their tent by an Indian, at the Panamint mining camp, on the Mojave Desert, in southern California.
—Ex-Secretary John W. Foster and Charles S. Hamlin have been appointed as commissioners to assist the Treasury Department in the solution of the Bering Sea seal question.
—Wu Ting Fang, the new Chinese minister to this country, has arrived in San Francisco, and will make his journey to Washington by special train. He is a nephew of Li Hung Chang.
—On April 12 President McKinley announced the appointment of Senator E. O. Wolcott, Adlai E. Stevenson, and Gen. Charles J. Paine as commissioners to an international monetary conference.
—The Secretary of the Navy has issued an invitation for bids for the construction of three new thirty-knot torpedo boats. The boats are to be completed within eighteen months from date of contract.
—On April 10 William Henry Theodore Durrant was again sentenced to pay the penalty of death for the murder of Blanche Lamont, in the Emanuel Baptist Church, of San Francisco, the execution to take place on June 11.
—The Chicago Presbytery has at last flatly refused to commit itself to the principle of prohibition, one of the chief arguments advanced being the necessity of the revenue which the saloon provided in helping to sustain the municipal government.
—Rear-Admiral Lester A. Beardslee, now in command of the Pacific Coast squadron of the American fleet, is to be succeeded in command by Rear-Admiral Joseph N. Miller, who will soon proceed to Hawaii to join his flag-ship, the Philadelphia.
—A joint resolution is now before Congress, providing for the appointment of commissioners to take charge of the exhibits of the United States at the Paris Exposition in 1900. All the States and Territories will be asked to take part in the exhibition.
—As a result of the terrible cyclone at Perry, Oklahoma, in which twenty were killed and nearly a hundred injured, many both of the injured and uninjured have become insane. It is estimated that more than a thousand cyclone caves are being constructed throughout that region.
—A Mr. Gatham, of Chicago, proposes to construct a telescope with a diameter of 100 feet. The principle upon which this gigantic lens will be constructed will be entirely different from that governing the construction of lenses now in use. Instead of being composed of one large piece of glass, the object lens will be composed of a large number of small lenses, which can be made more perfectly than a very large one, and more cheaply in proportion. It is on this plan that the Mt. Lowe telescope is made.
—The State of Maine is the first State to prohibit the kinetoscope representation of prize-fights. New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Illinois, and Texas have similar acts pending in their Legislatures, and it is expected that many other States will follow the lead of the old Pine Tree State.
—By the failure of the Globe Savings Bank, of Chicago, the University of Illinois is expected to suffer heavily. The treasurer of the bank was also treasurer of the university, and cash to the amount of $140,000, together with bonds to the amount of $400,000 belonging to the university, are missing.
—The street railways of Buffalo, N. Y., are now operated by electricity generated at the Niagara Falls, twenty-nine miles distant. Power from the same source will soon be supplied also to Rochester, Albany, and other large cities, as well as for the operation of the canal-boats of the Erie Canal.
—On April 8 the best business part of the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, was destroyed by fire. The financial loss is variously estimated at from one to one and a half million dollars. Five persons are known to have lost their lives, and it is reported that many more of those unaccounted for are among the dead.
—Reports from Alaska state that hundreds of miners, blinded by the glamor of gold, are rushing to the diggings without provisions, and that starvation is almost certain. As a sample of the scarcity of food in the Clondyke region, flour is selling at $50 a sack, or $1.00 a pound, and other food proportionately high.
—The California State Sunday-school Association (Interdenominational) held its thirteenth annual convention at the First Baptist Church, San Francisco, April 6 to 8. The International field worker, Prof. H. M. Hamill, of Illinois, was in attendance, and a good report was given of the work done during the past year.
—A joint resolution of Congress permitting the landing of aliens to take part in foreign exhibits at State fairs is now being taken advantage of by about 3,000 Chinese, who claim that their services are needed in connection with the Nashville Centennial. The State Department is considerably exercised over the matter.
—A shocking tragedy was enacted by an insane farm-hand at Pascoag, R. I., on the morning of April 14, in which Edward Reynolds, his wife and daughter were murdered and their home set on fire by the dangerous lunatic. The bodies of the father and daughter were cremated before assistance reached them.
—It is reported that the Standard Oil Company, the Western Oil Company, and the Russian Oil Company, have decided to join their forces and control the oil supply of the entire world. This has been the purpose of the Standard Oil Company for a long time, and will constitute the most gigantic trust in the world. The oil user will then be at the mercy of the trust.
—By the collapse of a piazza on which he was receiving congratulations after delivering a speech at St. Augustine, Fla., on April 8, William J. Bryan and about 400 others were thrown to the ground, fully twenty feet below. The orator's face was considerably cut and he sustained a number of bruises. A score or more persons received cuts, sprains, and bruises, but none were seriously hurt.
—The American Tract Society held its annual meeting at Washington, April 11. In the report of the field secretary it was stated that the society was now publishing evangelical literature in 153 different languages and dialects. The total number of volumes in all languages published in New York was 31,500,000; the total number of books and tracts, nearly 500,000,000, and the total number of periodicals, 300,500,000.
—The New York Board of Education is considering a plan to establish in each of the public schools in the city a lunch counter, where children can buy wholesome food for their midday meal. No pie or sweetmeats will be allowed, as they are considered a menace to the health of the children. This step is considered necessary in view of the fact that many parents send their children to school with a few pennies with which to purchase their lunch, the lunch usually consisting of these tabooed articles.
—The rivers and streams along the entire Mississippi Valley, from north Dakota to southern Louisiana, are still swollen and turbulent, and the destruction of life and property is still going on apace. Davis Island, below Vicksburg, which is inhabited by 2,500 people, is completely overflowed. It is reported that every foot of land in Indian Bay country, Arkansas, is under water, and that 500 persons and 1,500 head of live stock are absolutely destitute of food. The river is falling at Memphis but is continuing to rise at Vicksburg. It is estimated that crops to the value of $3,750,000 have been destroyed. Fifteen thousand square miles of the richest cotton land are completely under water. The situation at Omaha is very critical. The streets of Cairo, Illinois, are flooded and several business blocks are under water. At Grand Forks, N. D., 250 families are dwelling in the second stories of their houses, or on the tops of barns and haystacks. A considerable loss of life is reported all along the flooded districts, but definite figures can not be given.
FRESNO CAMP-MEETING.
By George W. Reaser
OUR first camp-meeting in California, for the year 1897, will be held in district number four.
The location of the meeting will be at the junction of O Street and Blackstone avenue, city of Fresno. Take the Belmont horse-cars.
The date of the meeting will be from April 22 to May 3.
Elder Breed, and probably Elder Knox, will be with us, besides other Conference laborers.
Inquiries concerning the meeting will be answered promptly, if addressed to J. J. Ireland, care of the Pacific Press, Oakland, or to the writer. Come, and bring your children, that they may have the benefit of the meeting.
G. W. REASER.
Box 272, Fresno, Cal.
HEALDSBURG COLLEGE CORPORATION.
THE stockholders of Healdsburg College corporation will hold their sixteenth annual meeting on Monday, April 19, 1897, at the south college building, in Healdsburg, California, at 10:30 A.M., for the purpose of electing a board of seven trustees, to serve one year, from the above date, and to transact such other business as shall be brought before said meeting.
N. C. MCCLURE, President. WM. INGS, Secretary.
CHRIST, OUR ADVOCATE
By Editor
His Ministry in the True Tabernacle
An up-to-date pamphlet on the work of Christ in the sanctuary in Heaven. Bible Students' Library No. 128, Fully illustrated. Paper covers. Price, 10 cents.
Address,
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
OAKLAND, CAL.
Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.
Union Pacific System
Shortest Line and Quickest Time
3 ½ Days to Chicago | 4 ½ Days to New York
SOLID VESTIBULE TRAINS
Personally conducted excursions to the East without change, in new Upholstered Tourist Sleepers, Lighted by Gas and Heated by Steam.
Tickets and sleeping car reservations at
No. 1 Montgomery Street, San Francisco
D. W. HITCHCOCK, General Agent
or, H. V. BLASDEL, Ticket Agent
1010 Broadway, Oakland, Cal.
Californians
GOING EAST
WILL FIND THAT THE FACILITIES
OFFERED BY THE
GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY SYSTEM
From Chicago to Eastern Points are Unexcelled
Vestibuled train service, Chicago to New York, via the famous St. Clair Tunnel, Niagara Falls and the beautiful Lehigh Valley. Through coaches, Pullman sleepers, and superior dining car service.
Chicago to Montreal, Portland, and Boston with elegant through car and Pullman service.
Summer Tours, via the Grand Trunk System, through the finest scenery in America, embracing Niagara Falls, the Thousand Islands and Rapids of the St. Lawrence, Muskoka Lakes, the White and Green Mountains, and the Atlantic seacoast.
See that Your Tickets from Chicago East
Read via the Grand Trunk System
CHAS. M. HAYS, W. E. DAVIS,
Gen. Manager, Montreal Gen. Pass. Agt., Montreal
E. H. HUGHES, Asst. Gen. Pass. Agt., Chicago.
L. R. MORROW, City Ticket Agt., 103 Clark St., Chicago.
Fiestas
Carnivals AND
Summer Outings
A grand round of merrymaking throughout the land . . .
La Fiesta de Los Angeles
Will take place in the Southern Metropolis April 20 and continue five days. Unique day parade of Spanish caballeros, Chinese with their Great Dragon, Mexican vaqueros, etc. Beautiful electric night parade of California flowers. Great Water Carnival. Floral Parade and Battle of Flowers. Novel street-carnival at night.
Golden Gate Carnival
To be held in San Francisco during the week commencing May 3, promises to be the most brilliant Festival ever witnessed in the West. Unique features never before introduced, and an unbroken succession of surprises and attractions. California's thrilling and romantic history since the days of '49 will be typified, and many novel creations will exemplify her marvelous industrial development. It is proposed to fix this event permanently in the Golden Gate Calendar.
The season for
### Summer Outings
Will soon be here. If your plans are not matured, and you desire more information about the many attractive retreats all over the State, send to the General Passenger Agent of the Southern Pacific Company for circulars and folders describing the Camping and other Resorts of the grand Shasta Region, Castle Crags, Lake Tahoe, and neighboring attractions on the Sierra Summits, Yosemite and Big Trees, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Lake County, and Southern California. Reduced Rates in many directions. Inquire of Southern Pacific Co., agents.
BIBLE ELECTION. By M. C. Wilcox. A brief presentation of God's plan and purpose concerning man, showing that the doctrine of election, or predestination, according to the Bible, is full of comfort and instruction. It throws new light on old controversies. Bible Students' Library, No. 67; 24 pp.; price 3 cents. Address Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.
Publications on the Sabbath
THE LORD'S DAY, THE TEST OF THE AGES
Presents in the briefest, simplest manner a part of the Bible evidence concerning both sides of the Sabbath question. The subject is treated in a new and interesting way. Fully illustrated with diagrams and original illustrations. 128 pages, paper covers, just out, price 15 cents.
ABIDING SABBATH AND LORD'S DAY
A pointed review of two of the best recent productions for the defense of the Sunday sabbath. The best arguments in support of Sunday are undoubtedly presented in this book. 173 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.
CHANGE OF THE SABBATH
A brief treatise answering the question so often asked, "Who Changed the Sabbath?" 218 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.
NATURE AND OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH OF THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT
A candid and thoroughly scriptural treatise on this important question. 96 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents.
THE SABBATH AND THE LAW
This work covers the Sabbath institution from Eden created to Eden restored, and its arguments are clear and forcible and convincing. 192 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.
THE HISTORY OF THE SABBATH
An exhaustive treatise on the Sabbath question, in which every passage in the Bible which has any connection with the Sabbath, either in the Old or New Testament, is examined at length. It is a veritable mine of information, both Biblical and Historical, on this subject. Three volumes, paper covers. Price $1.00 per set.
. . Send for Catalogue containing Price List of other . . .
Publications on this Subject.
Pacific Press Publishing Co.
Oakland, Cal.
Kansas City, Mo. N. Y. City, N. Y.
This is What They Say
By Editor
Remember the Offer of Our
Magnificent Self-Pronouncing Teachers' Bible
WITH THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Positively Closes April 30, 1897
Until that date, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES offers with each new yearly subscription a
Self-Pronouncing Teachers' Bible At a Remarkably Low Figure
Here are a few of the good words we are receiving about the Bible:—
"Dear Friends: I received my Bible in fine condition a few days ago. I am perfectly satisfied with it. I think it far superior to what I expected. The aids are the finest I have ever seen."
"Friends: I received the Bible last evening. I am very much pleased with the book. I do not see how such a book can be made for the price. I am very much gratified at the way you have treated me."
From other letters we quote:—
"I think it one of the most complete I have ever seen in regard to helps."
"The maps alone are worth the price. . . . . The aids and word book are worth the price. The useful information to be derived therefrom is not to be estimated in coin. I thank you very much, and hope to better repay you."
This sample is an exact reproduction of a quarter page of our Premium Bible and shows size of type.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
SAINT MATTHEW.
CHAPTER 1.
1 The genealogy of Jesus Christ: 18 Mary's miraculous conception; Jesus is born: 21, 23 his names.
THE book of the generation of Je'sus Christ, the son of Da'vid, the son of A'bra-ham.
2 A'bra-ham begat I'saac; and I'saac begat Ja'cob; and Ja'cob begat Ju'das and his brethren;
3 And Ju'das begat Pha'res and Za'ra of Tha'mar; and Pha'res begat Es'rom; and Es'rom begat A'ram;
4 And A'ram begat A-min'a-dab; and A-min'a-dab begat Na-as'son; and Na-as'son begat Sal'mon.
18 Ma'ry was espoused to Jo'seph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Ho'ly Ghost.
19 Then Jo'seph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Jo'seph, thou son of Da'vid, fear not to take unto thee Ma'ry thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Ho'ly Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JE'SUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
This Bible is not a cheap reprint, but a copyrighted edition from new type-set plates. It contains a complete series of Helps with illustrations, and a "Word Book" which embraces a Concordance, Subject Index, Gazetteer, Bible Dictionary, etc., all in one alphabetical arrangement. By consulting the Word Book you can find at once what you want, and do not need to look in half a dozen places for it. Every proper name is so marked as to indicate at a glance its proper pronunciation. It is thus absolutely Self-Pronouncing.
This new Bible has Minion type; is bound in American Morocco; has silk head bands, a silk marker, a silk-finish lining, and red under gold edges.
OUR OFFER
a. The Bible and a year's subscription—new name—to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, ordered before April 30, 1897, for $2.50. Both Bible and paper sent post-paid.
b. The Bible FREE to any one sending us six new names and $6.00 at the same time. The Bible will be sent also, as above, to any one or all of the six by including $1.50 extra for each Bible.
N. B.—This Bible will be sent ONLY as a PREMIUM with a YEAR'S subscription and for a NEW name. No other Bible substituted for the one offered herewith. Send us a new name and $2.50, and we will send the Bible to you or to whomsoever you may indicate, post-free.
The Time Is Short, Improve It
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.
Unappreciated Charity.
By Editor
Oftentimes what is bestowed as a gift comes to be looked upon by the receiver as what is due him. The Chicago Herald tells of a benevolent man who had a regular list to whom he gave alms according to his ability and his conception of their needs. One old man came regularly as the month and received a dollar. On a recent occasion he accosted his benefactor and received from him a half dollar. He thanked the donor, started away, hesitated, stopped, and then turned to the giver and said, "Excuse me, sir, I would like to ask you a question." "Well, what is it?" said Mr. G., his benefactor. "It is this. Every month for years past you have given me a dollar, but to-day I come, and you give me only fifty cents. How is that?" "Well, I'll tell you," said Mr. G., smiling good-humoredly. "I have had some unusually heavy expenses this month. My eldest daughter got married, and the outlay for her trousseau, etc., has compelled me to retrench in every direction." "Ah, I see!" said the beggar. "But, Mr. G., I really can't afford to contribute toward your daughter's wedding expenses." We often meet this spirit, tho not always such refreshing frankness.
Sunday Work and the Sabbath
By Editor
A Nashville, Tenn., paper has the following protest against the idea of "fifty men at work on the government building" on Sunday. The protest is by "White Ribbon," as follows:—
"A spectacle to make angels weep. One to make devils laugh. It would be better to postpone the Centennial to the year 2000, or get along without a Government building, or dump the exhibits into the Cumberland River, than to insult Him who said, 'The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work.' It is to be hoped that the proper authorities will suppress the unlawful spectacle before the righteous Judge commissions a servant to proclaim, 'Yet forty days and Centennial City shall be overthrown.'"
We do not object to the lady's protesting; for she has a right to protest; but we do wish to call attention to the fact that such protests are not founded in truth. "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God" still. This does not mean the first day. There are in justice no proper authorities to "suppress" such things. True, Tennessee has a Sunday law, and has enforced it in the past against men who made no public spectacle of themselves at all, but Tennessee has evidently learned better. She is going to let State employees work if they will; but let us tell "White Ribbon" and Tennessee that God will not condemn any Tennessean for Sunday work; for he has no Sunday law.
Papers Sent Without Payment
By Editor
We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.
When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the "Signs" are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.
It Is Not a Bad Illustration
It Is Not a Bad Illustration.—It is said that "Longfellow was ashamed that he wrote 'Excelsior.' He tells of a young man toiling up and up, ever with the desire to gain greater heights. And the higher you get the colder it is. At least he got higher, and met—death." And that is about the result of men's aspirations without God. The heights of fame and wealth and power and knowledge are cold and lifeless without divine love. But divine love walks in the lowliest places of earth, yet it has Christ the Lord for company.
Blue Laws Wanted
By Editor
Blue Laws Wanted.—A New York paper tells us that Philip Goetz, of No. 87 Butler Street, Flatbush, called on the magistrate on Sunday, March 22, to have Mrs. Cook, one of his tenants, arrested for running a sewing machine on Sunday. The magistrate was not in. "'Isn't there a law prohibiting any sort of work on Sunday?' asked Mr. Goetz. 'Yes,' said the clerk, 'but it is one of the old blue laws.' 'Then I want the blue laws enforced in this case,' replied Mr. Goetz." And this illustrates how personal spite will put in operation unjust laws. Such laws ought not to be on the statute book. Mrs. Cook had as much right to sew in her home on Sunday as Mr. Goetz did in his on Monday.
A World Trust
A World Trust.—It looks now as tho the Standard Oil Company would control the oil supply of the world, by union with the great Russian and Chicago firms, its only competitors. Last year it paid a dividend of 31 per cent. on a capitalization of $90,000,000, or, in other words, a profit of $27,900,000 was distributed. The first week in April, in four days, its stock jumped $19,000,000. All these millions are controlled by a committee of six men, made up of John D. Rockefeller, president; William Rockefeller, vice-president; John D. Archbold, H. H. Rogers, Benjamin Brewster, and H. M. Flagler, treasurer. "Not a single secret," says the New York World, of this council, "has ever leaked out. There is not a possibility of any line of policy being divulged prematurely. The combined fortunes of the two Rockefellers will aggregate nearly $300,000,000." Truly it may be said:—
"Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay."